Nurse who stole drugs to be struck off register

A nurse who stole morphine from Wanganui Hospital will be struck from the national nurse register.

Megan Claire Adair, 44, appeared before Judge John Clapham at Wanganui District Court yesterday for sentencing on two charges of theft of morphine.

Judge Clapham said Adair had originally faced 59 charges of theft of drugs but after pleading not guilty and electing trial by jury she was indicted on just nine.

Of the nine she was acquitted on six charges, discharged on one and convicted on two.

Judge Clapham sentenced Adair to 100 hours community work and noted that as result of her convictions she would be struck off the national nurses' register and have her name published in a magazine that went to all registered nurses.

Crown prosecutor Harry Mallalieu said the hospital had become alerted to the thefts by discrepancies on its drugs register.

He said Adair had taken the two doses of morphine on December 18, 2003.

"The value of the drugs is very low but they are controlled drugs and it is considered serious if they are used illicitly."

Mr Mallalieu said Adair's offending had a negative impact on the ward in which she worked.

"It was quite shattering. Some staff required counselling. Some moved to other wards and some even left altogether.

"Another significant factor was the breach of trust."

Judge Clapham recorded that he was the judge presiding at Adair's trial.

He said hospital drugs policy required registered nurses to sign for drugs and then make notes on patient records when administered.

"In this instance the drugs were recorded on the register but not on the patient notes," he said. "The inference is that you were responsible for the removal of two 10 milligrams doses of morphine.

"There is no evidence of what you did with the drugs or that you were taking them.

"The less said the better about the quality and standard of the investigation carried out by the hospital board."

Judge Clapham said the quality of investigation was reflected in the fact that of the 59 original charges laid, only two resulted in conviction.

"This was a breach of trust and a cloud of suspicion must have descended on all workers," he said.

"The impact on the community is that the system is shown to be flawed. Also it must have concerned some premeditation because you knew the system and chose the occasion on which to breach it."

He said Adair had no previous criminal record and character references showed she had been professional in her conduct up to offending.

"I'd stress your previous good character," Judge Clapham said.

He said Adair got no credit for pleading guilty because she still maintained her innocence and that the term of community work was appropriate.

- WANGANUI CHRONICLE